Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of hostages held in Gaza that an agreement could soon be reached that would secure the release of their loved ones, Reuters reported, citing a statement from his office as quoted by BTA .
"The conditions are undoubtedly ripe. This is a good sign," Netanyahu told families in Washington, where he is expected to meet US President Joe Biden and address Congress.
Efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, outlined by Biden in May and brokered by Egypt and Qatar, have gained momentum in the past month. On Friday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said negotiators were "getting closer to the end goal".
Ruby Chen, father of Itai Chen, a soldier with dual American-Israeli citizenship whose body is being held in Gaza, was one of the family members who met with Netanyahu.
"He said the conditions are ripe, but I take that with some skepticism," Chen told Israel Army Radio. He added that he hoped Biden, who withdrew his bid for re-election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee on the November ballot, would put more pressure on Netanyahu to reach a deal.